What aircraft did the Saratoga carry in 1936? Did they still have any of the F4Bs?

The Saratoga in 1/700 should be fun. Those planes are going to be very tiny!

I have more or less decided on a KV-1 Model 1941 in 1/35. It was on hand and I had some very appealing Archer's Dry Transfers to use.

Saratoga air group at the paint shop

I wish Trumpeter had used opaque plastic, white would be best but light grey would work, instead of clear plastic to cast the planes. It might work for 1/350 carrier planes, but for small airplanes in 1/700 there is not enough glass in the canopies/windscreens to benefit from clear plastic. Acrylic don't stick well to clear plastic without a primer coat.

I have completed my builds for two other campaigns, received the Fruil track set for the NBFZ and started the rebuild. I am missing to suspension parts and one large hatch. They must be hiding behind some of the furniture. While deciding how to scratch build replacement parts and realizing that this campaign runs thru 1 September and not 1 August, I will start another Trumpy build. This one will be the 1/700 USS Saratoga (1936). I need some variety after 4-1/2 armor builds!
I have purchased the Starfighter decal set for the 1936 Saratoga air group , additional aircraft and a PE set and all have arrived. I have started with the air group.....photos will follow when I completed of those tiny airplanes.

Sal,

Very nice build of the Waffentrager. I would not want to be a crew member on that beast. I trained on the M551 Sheridan with a 152mm gun launcher on a 17-ton chassis and did it give you a "ride" when firing a conventional round. The Waffentrager has that huge gun on a light, short chassis with minimal recoil......hang on, baby

Again, nice build

D-30's got new clothes.




Mike

Hi Peter,

Thank you for the feedback - much appreciated. When you say low pressure would 10 - 12 psi qualify?

Regards,
Kobus

Hi buddy it is down to a low pressure on the gun, I spray at really low pressure with aclad and just give it a little polish once its dry with normal car polish.

Thanks

Pete

A little progress on my M1A1HA. The main colors are on. Still some corrections to make before I do detail painting and weathering.

More to follow

Hi Mike,

Saw the announcement here on Armorama (Thanks Hisham). There goes the budget

The question is how soon can I get my hands on one

Looking forward to seeing the kit in 'real life'

Regards,
Kobus

Kobus, funny you should mention the G6.

Mike

Hi Peter,

That Candy Green really shines - looks beautiful on the Falcon.

Any other secrets to getting such a high gloss finish?

Regards,
Kobus

Thanks Paul a few bits to finish and its done. The paint is Aclad II bottle green candy. Nice to paint with and it glosses up nice.

Pete

Hi Mike,

Sorry for the late reply - been hectic with work lately.

I was an FCO [Fire Control Officer] for a G5 regiment in the SADF/SANDF (National service and then reserves). My regiment later transitioned to the G6 SPG/H after I finished my stint in the Reserve Forces.

The G5 was developed in the early years of the Angolan conflict because the D30 outranged the G2 (old 5.5) used by the [then] SADF.

Your build is looking really good - keep up the good work sir!

Regards,
Kobus

Pete - Your Falcon is sure familiar to me. They were very popular when I was coming up and with the small V-8 could really go. Its great to see one looking as nice as yours.

Mike - I have this kit too and am enjoying watching your progress. The metal barrel looks terrific.

My own Trumpy project has not even started yet as I have been busy with projects in other forums. With the end in sight I had better get a move on!

Peter, nice build. Nice to see some gloss metallic paint for a change.

Mike, great job on the gun so far. The metal barrel is a real Improvement.

Mike

Almost ready for primer.......



Mike

Barrel work done - a fair amount of modification was done to the barrel and last two "jackets" and the breech. Barrel is glued to the carriage and propped up to fully dry. After that its the shield, axles, hydraulics, primer, and paint.

Mike

My build is nearly complete














Just a few bits to do.

Pete

Finally a little more progress on my M1A1HA. The muddy tracks are done and the first color of the camouflage is on. Next is the black and the brown in the camouflage.

More to follow

Moving right along. From the trails being completed and connected to work on the carriage.

The blue foam is the base for the dio (sandy, some minor rock and scrub). It allowed me to set the depth of the base plate with the "stakes" mounted for firing.

Pretty impressed with the detail; there are some very fine and thin parts in plastic. Minor mold seams to deal with and care needed to remove the parts from the sprues. Very pleased with the kit so far.




(some seam removal still needed I see - closeups are good for that - LOL!)

Mike

Alot of work on the Ford Falcon























Needs polished to get a nice shine and get rid of the dust attracted to it.

Pete

Nice start, Mike. A metal barrel might be a good idea on this one since the barrel will clearly be center piece. Alternative is camo netting or fine wet and dry sandpaper.

Trails started. This is going to be built in the firing position. I need to find a decent photo of one of them in deployed position to see how far down the "spikes" for the trails go.



Mike